5 Common Mistakes Tourists Make and How To Avoid Them

Every year people save in order to take that one memorable trip. Whether it’s a one week or a one-month trip you want to make the most of it without any glitches. Unfortunately something usually goes wrong and it can be anything from a small inconvenience to something that can totally ruin your trip.

The following tips may help ease some of those problems and make your trip a little more pleasant.

SPENDING ALL YOUR TIME AT THE RESORT

One of the biggest mistakes tourists make is spending all of their time in the resort or around all the major tourist attractions. The resorts make it easy to stay there, they have all the finest amenities, the nice bars, the great food and everything else necessary in order to keep you there the entire time. The major tourist attractions are always full of photo snapping tourists all angling for the same photo.

But since you spent all that time-saving your money and planning the trip wouldn’t it be nice to get out and actually experience the area you’re visiting? One reason a lot of tourists don’t venture away from the resorts and tourist attractions is because it gets them out of their comfort zone. If you get out of your comfort zone just a little, move away from the resorts and the tourist attractions and get off the tourist path you can find some amazing things and places that will make your trip extremely memorable. There are all types of little restaurants and cafés, shops, and undiscovered gems that most tourists will never see.

TOO MUCH LUGGAGE

Another common mistake that tourists make is packing way too much luggage. With new airline regulations regarding checked bags, packing too many bags can also cost you a lot of money. Not only does too much luggage cost you a lot of money it’s also a hassle to have to haul around. The next time you pack to go on a trip layout everything you want to take and then cut that in half. A lot of what you think you need to bring you can buy when you get there. You also need to leave a little room in your luggage for when you decide to buy something on vacation and want to bring it home.

BOOKING A HOTEL TOO FAR FROM THE ACTION

I have been guilty of this a few times myself. You look on the search engines and find what looks like a decent place to stay at a reasonable price only to find out you have to take 2 buses and a train to get to where everything in town is located. While that can be fun and you do get to see a lot of the area it becomes a pain in the butt when you return to your lodgings late at night. In some places those buses, subways and trains quit running at a certain time and you’re stuck using a taxi. Depending on where you’re at, taxis may not be the best option. Some are kind of sketchy and others just downright rip you off because you are not from there. Next time look at the address or if the booking site doesn’t offer it then google the hotel and find out where they are located. Then do a google map search and make sure you are not booking someplace that will be an inconvenience.

RELYING TOTALLY ON GUIDEBOOKS

Travel guides are a great tool as long as you don’t become dependent on them. Check out what the experts say, after all anyone that writes a guidebook or has a blog is an expert right? How do you think all those experts got their information? They wandered around, spoke to the people that live there and discovered the places that people might like. Do a little exploring yourself and discover that hidden gem of a place that isn’t listed in the guidebook. Talk to the people at the hotel or restaurant and ask what they recommend as far as places to see either in town or nearby and where the good places to eat are located. They are the real experts.

ARRIVING IN HIGH SEASON

This one can be tricky. There is a high season for a reason. It might be that other times of the year it is just too miserable to visit. Travel either a few weeks before or after the high season in most places and there isn’t much of a difference except the prices. You can score some great deals in air travel, lodging and even skip a lot of the crowds at the big tourist sites by adjusting the time you visit. I have been in London in January, Prague in March and Asia during the rainy season. I had a blast each time and the weather didn’t stop me from seeing anything I wanted to see.

About Bob Bales

Bob aka: The Traveling Fool is a History buff, cigar lover and enthusiast of different cultures and places. He has had the privilege of living, working and traveling all over the world. A proponent of getting off the "tourist path" and experiencing all that the culture and people have to offer. Happiest on a white sand beach in SE Asia or anywhere Tropical. Follow on Twitter @thetravelfool

Comments

Don’t think I’ve ever read a guidebook. Certainly too much luggage can be a problem. Missing connections due to language barriers can be a pain (and expensive). As for high season, I live in London, main tourist time here is crazy and lasts 4-5 months.

I had three carriers and by the time someone spoke enough English to compensate for my poor Spanish, I found San Sebastian’s bus station – 30 minutes after the bus had gone. One of those “that’s life” moments. Fun city.

Following guidebooks has got to be the biggest annoyance for me. Why would anyone want to follow the advice of someone who filled out their piece for the guidebook about an area 6 months or more before it was printed? Most of the time the information is out of date and with such great internet access becoming widely available; it’s almost not necessary to carry a guide anywhere.

“Common Sense is Very Uncommon” Glad I found sensible Tips other then how to say hello or Good Bye in Guide Books,

The Budget Flights aren’t Budget friendly at all, They land far away from the City, + some weird timings, If summed up all together It Cost Extra to reach final destinations, same way it goes to Hotels as mention here.

I find guidebooks (well, I wrote two, so I am biased) helpful. Mainly because I can never decide on good restaurants. Over packing is something I am definitely guilty of. I’ve tried, many many times to scale back and it doesn’t seem to work. In Paris, I felt so stupid blocking people on the train with our huge bags.

Another thing, when I first started traveling, I booked too many hotels. Close to action sure, but it’s easier just to stay in one place.

I haven’t considered using a guidebook but we do search as part of our travel plan, and yes, we also do consider the location of our hotel/hostel before doing the reservation. As for getting out of the resort and exploring the place, most resorts staff do suggest places to visit even if you don’t ask them, they will talk to you about these lovely places to visit over dinner or lunch. But these people are really nice, they’re just being hospitable and helpful to their visitors, and I guess that’s a good thing. Although some resorts do have their own facilities, some do offer tours over their places.. you just have to be really cautious about who to hang out with, because not everyone has good intentions, you must learn how to weigh people., you know what I mean? And yeah, don’t join the majority of tourists, or you won’t fully enjoy your trip if everywhere is packed.. except of course if that’s your thing.

Don’t disagree with anything that you have said. We always stay in a central spot so that we can walk to most places. We do research on a place before we go but don’t take guide books. We ask around and find out what locals think is worth seeing. Have got better at the luggage. We used to have to travel in high season all of the time because of my teaching but we made the adjustments and avoided the crowds and took the weather however it came.

I am so bad for over packing! No matter how hard I try, I don’t think I will ever master the art of packing light.

I’m glad you mentioned spending too much time at the resort. My first time in Mexico was for a wedding, so of course we were at an all-inclusive. I was bored after one day and wanted to get out and see what the real Mexico was all about. So many people, from Canada especially, visit Mexico over and over again, and never venture off the resort property.

I still use guidebooks when I’m starting the planning process, but have been quite surprised that some great towns/sights are often not mentioned.

“I don’t think I will ever master the art of packing light.” One way is to look at your pack. What did you NOT use last trip? Lose it. I lost a little over 4lbs of weight from my pack doing this. Now I have only what I know I will use. I travel very light, my travel writing kit is half of my weight. My backpack was nearly 16lbs total, now it is 11.5 lbs. That way I have room for my water bottle (discardable), a bit of food and the odd extra I buy en route. If I will not use it, I won´t buy it.

After a while you learn to wash your clothes daily (hand soap will do for light stuff). Day to dry, wear, wash, day to dry. Works for me. Obviously if you use a wheely suitcase you don´t have to worry as much.

Great travel advise to follow. I used to be one of those that overpacked. but now I don’t . I figure if I need something I’ll just go out and buy it. Getting out of the resort is a great idea . We’ve gone on tours but the best ones are when the locals take you off the bitten path.

These are great tips! Guide books drive me nuts. I’m part of an American military community in Italy. Most people have never traveled from their home state, yet alone out of the US. I constantly see “Who has tips for Rome?” which is promptly followed up with “Just follow the Rick Steves guidebook!” Um, no thanks. I’m more interested in seeing things not every single other person that has ever been to Rome has also seen. Same goes for just about any other place. There’s nothing wrong with seeing the big tourist sights, but deviate at least a little!

I agree with bringing too much luggage is not advisable as it may hinder the traveler moving from one place to another. But I actually quite like to idea of spending all the time in a luxurious resort, just to relax and do nothing – the only possible mistake might be it will burn a big hole in your pocket.

Excellent journey recommend to adhere to. I used to be one of those that overpacked. but now I don’t . I determine if I need something I’ll just go out and buy it. Getting out of the accommodation is a smart concept . We’ve gone on trips but the best ones are when the residents take you off the attacked direction.

Bob aka: The Traveling Fool is a History buff, cigar lover and enthusiast of different cultures and places. He has had the privilege of living, working and traveling all over the world. A proponent of getting off the "tourist path" and experiencing all that the culture and people have to offer. Happiest on a white sand beach in SE Asia or anywhere Tropical. Follow on Twitter @thetravelfool